£300 fines on way in crackdown on litter

LITTER louts in Rochdale could soon face on-the-spot fines of up to £300 - six times the current total.

HIT with litter fine... actor Colin Meredith was hit with a £50 fine in May.

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LITTER louts in Rochdale could soon face on-the-spot fines of up to £300 - six times the current total.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill, which will tackle problems such as graffiti, fly-posting, litter and fly-tipping, was given the thumbs up by Councillor Ashley Dearnley, cabinet member for environment at Rochdale Council.

"We can't let people drop litter and get away with it, so any measure which encourages people to take responsibility for their own rubbish and environment generally is justifiable," he said.

Under current legislation only £50 can be charged for dropping litter, but the new laws are expected to be in force by the spring.

"We can charge up to £300 for anything which is detrimental to the environment, from dropping litter to your dog fouling on the streets," said Councillor Dearnley.

The new bill will also allow councils to authorise individuals, such as community and traffic wardens, to issue fixed penalty notices to people caught dropping litter.

"The legislation allows for a steep rise in the fine and the council will decide in due course exactly how much to set it after its consultation process," added Councillor Dearnley. "I welcome the new powers this legislation will give us, however, because it suggests to people that we are serious.

"I have no sympathy for people dropping litter because they should care for their environment."

He added that the money raised by the fines will go back to the council to reinvest in better environmental programmes and initiatives.

Rochdale MP Lorna Fitzsimon, said it was 'good news for Rochdale'.

"Fly posting, abandoned vehicles and other nuisances, which blight our communities, will be targets for action," said Miss Fitzsimons.

"These are problems caused by a minority of individuals that can ruin the lives of honest, hardworking people."

But not all residents are happy with the council's hard line on fines, let alone the proposed increase.

In October the parents of Ashley Harper, from Sudden, were outraged after their 12-year-old son was issued a £50 on the spot fine for accidentally dropping chips on the floor.

In May, actor Colin Meredith, well known for directing the annual Rochdale pantomime, was shocked to find a letter and £50 fine from the council, saying he was caught throwing away an apple core.